AUCKLAND
CHORAL SOCIETY
Special News
Tribute to Adrienne Simpson (Author)
5 December 2010
Auckland Choral Mourns the Passing of Adrienne Simpson (Author)
It was with sadness that we learned two days ago that Adrienne Simpson had lost her battle with cancer on Saturday morning.
For many choir members, you may remember that Adrienne authored the choir’s new history entitled – “Hallelujahs & History: Auckland Choral 1855-2005”, one of the four major projects undertaken to celebrate the sesquicentennial of Auckland Choral in 2005.
We were very privileged to have someone
of her calibre recommended to us and it became evident very quickly that
Adrienne’s skills as a researcher and writer were unquestionable, ours
being the eighth of nine titles she completed. The book has since become
a ready-reference tool for many while some copies have found their way
all over the globe and in a New Zealand Opera News review written by
Lindys Taylor, he described the then newly completely history as “The
thoroughly readable story of New Zealand’s oldest choir.” Adrienne was
recognised as an opera-writer, musicologist, historian, broadcaster and
avid cricket fan and one of her favourite lines went like this – “The
argument that people who are interested in the arts aren't interested in
sports, and vice versa, is one of these great New Zealand myths.”
Adrienne worked on the book project over a two and a half year period with the Auckland Choral team of Lynne Edmonds, Brian Millar, Robyn Teare and myself, making three trips to Auckland during the process including attending the official launch during the celebratory weekend in April 2005 to personally sign pre-purchased copies. She was on those occasions accompanied by her husband Richard and we were able to get to know them, enjoy their sense of humour and learn a little of their wide range of interests.
Richard conveyed to me that he is sure that it was Adrienne’s strong will-power that saw her share in the joy of the birth of her newest grandchild, a little boy born just six days before she passed away, to be able to see and hold him.
Adrienne was a long-time resident on the Kapiti Coast and her funeral will take place in Waikanae on Wednesday. I have sent a card to Richard and I understand that a floral tribute will also be sent on behalf of Auckland Choral.
I would like to ask those who knew Adrienne, who worked with her and who have enjoyed reading the book she wrote on our behalf, to remember her for her passion for music and for the Society during the singing of our Monday night Messiah.
Thank you for your attention.
Catherine Mitchell (Alto)
Auckland Choral
5 December 2010
If you wish to purchase a copy of the
book, written by Adrienne, please
click here or click the
book to the right.
Photos: Iain Bremner